While everyone in the world may be pursuing joy, not everyone agrees on how to get that joy. The world would tell us to chase after selfish means of joy: a bigger house, nicer car, better job, higher pay, more vacations, perfect family, better looks. If we can just get these things for ourselves then we can experience more freedom and joy, right? This message is everywhere in the world and it’s difficult to keep it from infiltrating our own thinking.
Jesus flipped the script by showing us where we can find true joy. We find joy when we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Mark 9:23). Hebrews says, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). Jesus, who was the most generous person who ever walked this earth, went to the cross in joy. How could he find joy in such a sacrificial act? He didn’t have a house, a car (obviously), a job, a high salary, vacation time, a perfect family, or perfect looks. And not only did he not have those worldly things, he endured the greatest suffering anyone has ever endured—and he still had joy.
We must constantly re-calibrate our hearts and minds toward the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We are surrounded by the voices of the world telling us what to pursue. and it can be easy to pursue the world while tacking on a church service and Bible study, without finding true joy in the life Christ calls us to live. Jesus showed us that surrendering everything in exchange for total obedience to God is the path to true joy.
Because of what Jesus has done for us, we cannot give more than we have been given. We will never spend ourselves so much that we have nothing left. Sure, we may lose money, time, resources, opportunities, reputation, but we can never lose the gift of full and eternal life that has been joyfully given to us through Christ. With this truth in mind, we are free to experience the full joy waiting for us when we take the journey of generosity.
Reflection/Discussion Questions: What have you been pursuing to find joy? How has it been working out for you?
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